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I've decided the only way i can find (and afford) that nice petrof grand i've been looking for is to buy it from a private party in another state since they are very rare here in austin tx. If i find one i like and it passes inspection, and the seller and i agree on price, and i fly out there and find it to have that sweet petrof sound then i'll need a cross country mover. Piano stores say they can do it for $500 or so but when i call the movers everyone wants $1500. Where can i find a more reasonably priced mover?

From your post, it does not sound as though you are impoverished. I would therefore recommend that you look for a good, reliable piano mover, which may not be the same thing as a "cheap" one (your word). A reliable piano mover should come highly recommended and also be reasonably priced.

It would be terrible to find your perfect piano, only to have a mover damage it after you have bought it!

The $500 figure is probably from Keyboard carriage and would only apply to a dealer-ti-dealer move, not a delivery to your home. I would recommend Walters Piano Transport. They are deeply experienced with an excellent reputation.

I have used Walter numerous times, and Steve is correct that they are very experienced. The problem with them stems from the fact that they actually set up three separate moves. The first is from the seller's home to the Walter truck, which the local mover meets at some predetermined commercial location. The piano is then transferred from the local truck to the Walter semi. Then the piano is either taken to their warehouse in the midwest, or to a commercial location near the home of the buyer. They then contract with another local mover on the buyer's end to complete the move to the house. The problem can arise with the local mover they contract with. The first few times they used Safeway movers, out of New Jersey, and they were competent. This last time they used a local guy here on Long Island, probably because he gave them a better price, and they were horrible. My heart was in my throat the whole time they were taking the piano out. Of course, the same thing is happening with Keyboard Carriage, except they aren't setting up the two local moves, the buyer and seller have to do that themselves. Remember, when the dealer is giving you a $500.00 national moving price, that they are likely only paying for, and setting up, the Keyboard Carriage phase of the move, or the move from their store and the Keyboard Carriage move.

I'm considering purchasing a very large Allen Theater organ on the West coast, and talked to a friend who has used Modern Piano Movers out of St. Louis. He said that they were very careful and didn't mind taking time to insure a scratch-free move. It cost about $2000 from CA.to IL. but he was VERY happy. His organ move was probably much more labor intensive than a grand piano. My grand cost me $450 for 40 miles, but they were the most careful. Worth every penny. It's pretty easy to move pianos through doorways, but huge organs don't always fit that easily.

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Marriage is like a card game, you start with two hearts and a diamond, later you wish you had a club and a spade!Yamaha G7 Yamaha CVP75 digital, Allen 3500 theater organ

Get a PIANO MOVER. Do not rely on the big cross country companies, they say they can do it but they are not all that experienced. I think this is an area where you do not want to cut corners. We recently moved a 6' 3" piano from Bend OR. to Manhattan, they then picked up my new piano (6' 6") in Baltimore and delivered it here. The whole process took about 2 weeks but it was worth it, they did a great job. They have other clients to deliver to as well hence the length of time.